Perhaps one of the most minor of life’s current challenges in writing my master’s thesis.  Anyone who’s ever written a master’s thesis knows it sure doesn’t feel like a minor challenge at all, but when put in perspective, it is.  Truth be told, I’m incredibly blessed to have this challenge in the first place.  Not everyone has the opportunity to go to college, let alone graduate school.  And while I still feel like a failure for not finishing my thesis when I finished all my coursework back in 2008, I’ve learned that sometimes life takes over and priorities shift.  And I would never trade starting my photography business in 2008 for anything.  The good news is that I’m finally back on track and making it happen but I’d be lying if I told you it was easy.

About a month ago, a good friend from grad school school emailed me out of the blue.  I hadn’t spoken to her since 2008 and I’ve thought about her from time to time ever since.  So when I saw her email in my inbox, I was really happy to be in contact again.  Over the past month, we’ve been catching up via email and as I’ve discussed the challenges I’m currently facing with my thesis proposal, she’s been there to help.  Whether it’s prepping me for actually proposing my thesis or helping me smooth out a challenging sentence my advisor wanted me to revise, she’s been there.  And yesterday, when another one of the aforementioned curveballs arrived, she was there to talk me through it and offer solutions.

I don’t discuss my religious beliefs a lot online, but today I feel compelled.  Because in the midst of life’s difficult challenges, I’m feeling so blessed for specific people God has placed in my life to help me through it all.  I know we’re given challenges for a reason and I know we’re never given anything we can’t handle.  But despite that premise, it doesn’t mean our challenges don’t feel as if we’re not going to be able to make it through them.  I’m just now realizing how much it helps to have someone who understands exactly what I’m going through.  Even if it’s for something as silly and horrible as writing a thesis.  And trust me, a thesis is both silly and horrible, all at the same time.  But I’ll stop talking about my thesis now.  Because it’s boring.

I sat down to write this post with the intention of talking about some of the changes I made to the blog format, so now is probably a good time to address the obvious!  You’ll notice that things look slightly different around here. Nothing drastic, but just as musicians sort of reinvent or update themselves every so often and with the release of a new album, so do photographers.  Or at least it feels that way when it comes to web presence.  So here is me, slightly reinventing myself via the blog format.  It’s like a nerdy version of changing your hair style.  I’ve made a font change as well as changing the basic structure of the blog.  Instead of full posts, they now appear as excerpts.  So instead of scrolling down to read posts, you get summaries of them as you scroll down and can choose which one you’d like to read by clicking VIEW FULL POST.

Hopefully you like the new structure and if you don’t, I might just have to change my name to The Artist Formerly Known as Ashley.  I know blogging has been slow around here, but if there’s anything specific you’d like to see on this blog in the future, aside from engagement sessions and weddings of course, feel free to let me know!  Hope you’re all having a fabulous almost Friday so far!

I fully intend on returning to my regularly scheduled blogging which will include my review of the 5D Mark III as well as a what to wear for engagement sessions post.  Because we all know picking out cute outfits is something I’m always up for.  In the meantime, today’s post is about a recent craft project I completed.  Truth be told, I’m not all that crafty.  I have dreams of being a regular crafter, but most of the time it requires effort and scheduling for me to actually sit down and work on a projects.  Cleaning and organizing on the other hand…but I digress.  I found the idea for today’s DIY coaster project on Pinterest.  It was super easy, didn’t require too many purchases and it’s ridiculously useful.  I’m using mine at home, but you could certainly use them for gifts or favors for a bridal shower or even a wedding, depending on how crafty you want to get!

MATERIALS:

1. 4X4 square ceramic tiles (Home Depot)

2. clear spray paint (Home Depot)

3. mod podge (it’s basically crafter’s glue, but with a fancy name) (Michaels)

4. foam brush (Michaels)

5. felt pads (I originally found some at home depot – as shown in the image below – but they were way too thick. Then I found Scotch brand felt pads at Michaels and they’re 100x better.  And thinner.)

6. cute paper (I found mine at Michaels)

7. scissors

8. thick piece of paper or card stock

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. First, I traced the shape of the tile onto a thick piece of paper so I would know exactly what size I wanted each piece of decorative paper to be.  The tiles aren’t exactly 4X4 and I wanted to make sure the paper didn’t go over the edges, so I adjusted accordingly.

2. Use your newly created thick paper template to trace squares on your decorative paper.

3. Clean your tiles so the paper will adhere smoothly.  I used a clorox wipe because that’s how I roll.

4. Apply mod podge to each tile with your foam brush and apply decorative paper.  Smooth paper onto tile, getting rid of any bumps or air bubbles.  Pay special attention to the edges to make sure the paper is adhering.  Wait 15-20 mins for them to dry.

5.  Apply mod podge the top of each newly papered tile.  Using the foam brush, smooth mod podge in either a horizontal or vertical direction, continuing to pay special attention to the edges.  Keep it consistent and make sure it’s smooth as you will see a bit of it on the finished product.  Wait 15-20 mins and apply another coat, going in the opposite direction (either horizontally or vertically).  Wait another 15-20 mins for them to dry.

6.  Take tiles to a well ventilated area and apply a coat of clear spray paint to the top of each tile.  Wait for them to dry.

7. Apply 4 felt pads to the bottom of each tile.  I put one in each corner of each tile.

8.  Admire your finished product.

9. Package as a gift or favor or if you’re like me, go get a fountain coke and use your new coasters at home.  Can you guess which one I keep at my desk? (:

A few months of inputting and J banned me from using Quickbooks altogether.  The perfectionist in me was peeved and the organizer in me was outraged.  And while it was tempting for me to just blame his lack of efficient teaching (obviously!), I gave it up without a fight.  Why?  Well, the most obvious reason is because it’s boring.  For me, inputting transactions is probably a step above filing receipts and both are pretty low on my fun scale.  But the second and more noteworthy reason is simply this: I’m not an accountant.  It doesn’t seem like that big of a deal, but it is.  Because while I was praised by my 10th grade math teacher who said I had tremendous potential when it came to the subject of math, I don’t know how to categorize the way an accountant does.  Sure, I can categorize and organize the folders on my hard drive like nobody’s business, but when it comes to bookkeeping, I’m ill-equipped.  And I’m okay with that.

I’m excited to announce J is going to be a guest on this week’s episode of the [b] School Study Hall and I couldn’t be more proud.  He’ll be taking questions about bookkeeping and accounting in general and debuting his brand new bookkeeping website, designed by yours truly (:  If you’re a photographer and have questions about accounting or you’re in need of an awesome bookkeeper, feel free to tune in this Thursday (4/12) at 4 pm PST.

1. Port of Morrow by The Shins – It came out the same day as The Hunger Games Soundtrack and because I’d previewed the entire album, I already knew I liked the songs.  But buying both of them on the same day, although I was using an iTunes gift card, just felt selfish.  So I marinated on it for a week and then in a moment of It’s my iTunes and I’ll buy if I want to, I downloaded it.  And I don’t regret it one little bit.  Neither does my iTunes gift card.

2. J.Crew chambray – When I first saw this shirt, I hesitated.  Because me and denim shirts (and jackets) have been friends at many different times throughout my life as the trends change.  I figured this trend would be a fleeting one, so I told myself I didn’t need one.  Fast forward a year later and guess what’s still in style.  After a bit of convincing from my J.Crew bride and after trying it on, I caved.  And guess what – wear this chambray is so comfortable it feels like pajamas!  Having an excuse to wear pajamas in public while still feeling stylish?  Sign me up!

3.Herringbone rug from Urban Outfitters - As if it wasn’t awesome enough to replace the carpet in our home with hardwood style flooring, then I got an excuse to accessorize it.  I’ve yet to actually purchase a rug for the living room, but I’ll likely be purchasing this one.

4. Shark Professional Steam Pocket Mop - Where has this blessed cleaning appliance been all my life?  Don’t get me wrong, I still love my Swiffer WetJet, but this mop sanitizes and is so much easier to use.  And you can wash the cloth mop heads rather than buying a new one every time you want to use it.  Oh and instead of purchasing cleaning solution, this mop uses distilled water!  And now that I’m over my initial fear of steam, it’s my new favorite cleaning appliance.

Bethany and Justin, I had so much fun roaming around San Clemente with you two!  All the props you brought along were so fun to work with and Bethany, you sharing your towel with me because you know I hate sand in my shoes has made you my new BFF.  I am so looking forward to your wedding this summer because I just know how beautiful it’s going to be.  I’m going to be sure to get plenty of pictures of those fabulous long tables, just for you two (:

We started the engagement session at Casa Romantica.  And that’s when I died and went to heaven.  Beautiful architecture, natural light and a couple dressed up and in love.  It doesn’t get more perfect than that.

I don’t get to shoot indoors very often during engagement sessions, but when I do, window light is always my favorite.  I could have photographed them here all afternoon.
Oh and did I mention they brought the most adorable props?  You’ll see a few more of them later in this post. I loved the chalkboard!This is one of J’s images and I absolutely love it. The image on the right is also his (:Bethany, this is hands down, my favorite image of you from the session.  You are absolutely stunning! I may or may not want one just like it of myself…Justin is so sweet with Bethany.  And photographing them like this is one reason I love what I do. Are you ready for the props?  First up, the bubbles!And last but not least, the silly string!  I know it wasn’t Bethany’s first choice, but she was such a good sport about it.  When she sees the next group of images, I’m confident she’ll decide it was all worth it (:

 To see more of Bethany and Justin’s Casa Romantica engagement session, click HERE for a slideshow.

Speaking of entertainment, here is a recent video J filmed while hanging out with 2 of our favorite people in the entire world.  The older my niece and nephew get, the crazier they get.  And my niece Riley?  She’ll be auditioning for American Idol in 2025.  The floor installing guy better watch out because clearly, he’s got some competition.

Then today, when we thought the buzz was dying down, we found out that they were not only taking about Hunger Games themed weddings on ryanseacrest.com, but they featured photos as well!  Again, it looks like reviews are mixed as some people like the idea of using inspiration from the book and others believe the shoots are actual weddings and that brides and grooms are pretending to be characters from the book!  That last, and obviously false idea, made me laugh out loud.  Again, it got people talking and that makes me happy (:

The Hunger Games series has turned me into a book series fanatic.  Much the same way I am with the Twilight movies, but with much more legitimacy because the movies haven’t quite come out in theaters and they don’t deal with vampires.  That is unless Edward Cullen shows up in book 3.  I just started it so I can’t say for sure.  But I digress, as I usually do.  This post does have to do with my love of The Hunger Games, but in wedding design form this time.  And the images I’m about to debut are really a dream come true for me.  I’ve been wanting to do a styled shoot for as long as I can remember now and recently, the stars aligned and I was able to participate in a styled shoot.  What was the theme you ask?  THE HUNGER GAMES.

In the wedding world, we throw the term styled shoot around all the time, but for those who don’t live in our bubble, allow me to explain what a styled shoot actually is.  A styled shoot is when different wedding vendors e.g. florists, wedding designers/coordinators,  hair & makeup artists, photographers, etc. get together to collaborate on a photo shoot.  The shoot is based on a grand theme and all the vendors/artists contribute their time and talents to put it together.  It’s a way to work with other wedding vendors, create for the sake of creating something artistic and a way to inspire brides to think creatively about their own wedding design.  I’ve been dying to contribute to a styled shoot for a long time and I’m so excited to debut my very first collaboration on a theme that is so near and dear to my heart.  And my newfound love of reading for leisure once again.  The following styled shoot was based on the first book in the series, appropriately titled The Hunger Games, and was coordinated and designed by the fabulous Lindye Galloway.  Enjoy!

For those of you who have been following this blog for a long time, some of you may recognize Madison and Ryan!  Madison and I have been friends since I was 11 years old and I photographed her and Ryan’s wedding back in 2009.  Madison and Ryan were kind enough to model for this shoot and I think Madison was an amazing representation of Katniss.  I also decided that Ryan was Gale, rather than Peeta.  What do you think?
The location that Lindye found for the shoot was amazing.  Very Hunger Games-esque if I do say so myself.
Rachel, our hair and makeup artist for the shoot, did a beautiful job on Madison’s hair and makeup.  I love the incorporation of the side braid! I haven’t finished the series just yet, so I don’t know what happens at the end, but if Katniss and Gale did have a wedding, I imagine it would be in a place like this.Lindye and Aly, our florist and her assistant, set up this ceremony structure and it was absolutely incredible.  My favorite part was the mini gold origami paper cranes shipped all the way from Japan!  They were meant to represent the mockingjay.  We all know how much I love gold!   The dragonfly was not part of the design, but when it landed on the structure, I felt like it was also very Hunger Games-esque.  I think I just like saying Hunger Games-esque.The reception set up was to die for.  I love the use of the wood table (from the fabulous Found Vintage Rentals, of course) and the table runner without having to use a table cloth.  The florals smelled just as beautiful as they look.  I can’t remember the name of that white flower with the dark center (I’m horrible at remembering the names of flowers), but it’s one of my new favorites.

I especially loved the incorporation of the artichokes which were spray painted gold.  Yep, more gold!  Lindye also created a tray with food elements specifically from a chapter in the book.  Bread, cheese and berries.  A feast fit for Katniss and Gale (:

These are all the talented vendors who brought the Hunger Games to life, wedding style:

Designer & Planner: Lindye Galloway Events

Floral Design: The Vine’s Leaf

Rentals: Found Vintage Rentals

Hair/Makeup: A Lovely Bride

Photography: Ashley Photographer